bystanders

noun

plural of bystander
as in spectators
someone who sees or watches something bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bystanders Multiple bystanders recorded the incident while calling for police to get Skinner medical attention. — Cbs News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 14 July 2026 Two wounded bystanders, a 28-year-old man shot in the shin and a 22-year-old woman blasted in the right forearm, are expected to recover. — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 12 July 2026 After following Thomson to the parking lot, Neil began rocking a van, as bystanders laughed and the hapless driver tried to extract his vehicle. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 July 2026 When gunshots ring out on America’s streets, bystanders face an instant, high-stakes dilemma. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 11 July 2026 The fiery crash in Laredo near the Mexican border had sent bystanders racing from their cars to help police rescue passengers and crew from the burning aircraft. — ABC News, 10 July 2026 There’s a special event at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this week where bystanders can hear the engine fire for the first time. — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 9 July 2026 Other bystanders managed to flip the boat back over, and the boy rose to the surface, WFAA reported. — Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 July 2026 Some riders gallivant and whoosh past bystanders, weaving in and out and putting surrounding passersby on edge. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystanders
  1. spectators
  2. observers
  3. viewers
Noun
  • Whenever someone reaches the top of the 25-meter (82-feet) cliff — often for the first time — spectators, instructors and climbers break into applause.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
  • But the nation’s summer has been an utter slog, lacking the identity and joy on the pitch that spectators have come to expect.
    — Doha Madani, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Definition of spectators
Noun
  • Industry observers view the DOE licensing agreement as an important milestone toward evaluating the commercial viability of the process.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026
  • While the conflict has thus far been driven by advances in aerial drone technology, many observers predicted that the next major battlefield innovation would be the widespread employment of ground robots.
    — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of observers
Noun
  • American viewers are used to seeing their football coverage delivered by Brits and/or other Europeans.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • In Valencia, a number of boating outfitters are offering eclipse-viewing charters since La Malvarrosa beach, the city’s official viewing spot, faces east, meaning viewers will need to look inland to see the eclipse.
    — Catherine Tansey, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 July 2026
Definition of viewers

Browse Nearby Words

bystander
bystanders
bystreet
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Cite this Entry

“Bystanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystanders. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bystanders

Nglish: Translation of bystanders for Spanish Speakers

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